Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856-1920) was the first national leader of the Indian
freedom movement who transcended provinces, communities, and languages to
establish himself in the hearts of millions. Tilak was a fierce advocate of
swarajya (self- rule) and his famous quote, 'Swarajya is my birthright, and I
shall have it!' is well-remembered even today.
Tilak's life touched millions. He was a warrior-hero and a scholar-philosopher,
a man who lived a life of action with total selflessness in the pursuit of
freedom for his motherland. He was a soul steady in reason, a sthithapradnya. As
he stood, rock-solid and consistent amidst the ocean of turmoil, he earned